When it comes to the Wisconsin Badgers over the last decade, the most memorable team is easily the 2014-15 group that went 36-4 and made it to the National Championship Game, ultimately falling short to the Duke Blue Devils.
That team had quite a few talented players, with four making it to the NBA: Sam Dekker, Frank Kaminsky, Duje Dukan, and Nigel Hayes-Davis.
Kaminsky was a lottery pick to the Charlotte Hornets, while Dekker went No. 18 overall to the Houston Rockets. Both Dukan and Hayes-Davis ended up going undrafted, but secured NBA contracts.
Unfortunately, all four players are out of the NBA now, as the Badgers don’t have much of a presence in the league anymore.
Johnny Davis was the latest to get drafted, going No. 10 overall to the Washington Wizards in the 2022 NBA Draft. But, he struggled in three seasons with the team, earning very limited minutes before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this past season. Davis was later waived and signed with the New York Knicks G-League team in March.
Currently, Micah Potter is the lone former Badger in the NBA. After going undrafted in 2021 and spending time in the G-League with the Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz, he had his best season yet for the latter squad, playing in 38 games in 2024.
However, Potter could be joined soon by another former Badger as Nigel Hayes-Davis has been picking up some traction from his time at Fenerbahce. Davis had a stellar season, averaging a career-high 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, while leading his team to their second EuroLeague Championship last month.
Hayes-Davis caught the eyes of Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula, who, according to EuroHoops, made the trek out to see him play in the playoffs last month.
At 30 years old, Hayes-Davis could be a low-cost option for the Celtics off the bench, as the forward has developed his shooting (41 percent from three this season), while stacking together several strong seasons overseas.
If he’s given the opportunity, Hayes-Davis could be the second Badger to join the NBA ranks this summer, as star wing John Tonje is also currently projected to be drafted later this month.
